James Sheppard has been released by Columbus from his professional tryout agreement.

Sheppard had a tough road ahead of him to make the Blue Jackets, but he was intrigued by the team and hoped to be a part of it. He might end up having to settle for a two-way contract with another franchise that intends to have him start in the minors and potentially call him up in the event of an injury. Fri, Sep 25, 2015 03:59:00 PM

Although the Columbus Blue Jackets might be a difficult team for him to earn a roster spot on, James Sheppard was particularly interested in joining their camp.

Sheppard accepted a professional tryout offer from Columbus over other teams. "The real superstars are just starting to emerge, with Foligno and Johansen, guys like that," Sheppard said. "But there’s not a name on this team that can’t be a top player. And the management … just hearing them talk about how they want to do things. They haven't achieved anything here yet, but I know they’re going to. It's exciting to see the big-time talent and the right kind of confidence that's here. I would love to be part of that. To me it is unique." Columbus was devastated by injuries last season, but it certainly is a team that could bounce back in a big way if it just enjoys a little bit more luck in the injury department. That said, we have our doubts that James Sheppard will be a part of that team. Sat, Sep 19, 2015 09:15:00 AM

James Sheppard has been released by Columbus from his professional tryout agreement.

Sheppard had a tough road ahead of him to make the Blue Jackets, but he was intrigued by the team and hoped to be a part of it. He might end up having to settle for a two-way contract with another franchise that intends to have him start in the minors and potentially call him up in the event of an injury.

Although the Columbus Blue Jackets might be a difficult team for him to earn a roster spot on, James Sheppard was particularly interested in joining their camp.

Sheppard accepted a professional tryout offer from Columbus over other teams. "The real superstars are just starting to emerge, with Foligno and Johansen, guys like that," Sheppard said. "But there’s not a name on this team that can’t be a top player. And the management … just hearing them talk about how they want to do things. They haven't achieved anything here yet, but I know they’re going to. It's exciting to see the big-time talent and the right kind of confidence that's here. I would love to be part of that. To me it is unique." Columbus was devastated by injuries last season, but it certainly is a team that could bounce back in a big way if it just enjoys a little bit more luck in the injury department. That said, we have our doubts that James Sheppard will be a part of that team.

The Columbus Blue Jackets have reportedly handed winger James Sheppard a professional tryout contract.

The Columbus Dispatch's Aaron Portzline reported the news, and also noted that he believes that Sheppard and Antti Philstrom may struggle to gain a spot on the roster. Sheppard, 27, scored two goals in 14 regular season games and a goal plus an assist in 13 postseason contests with the New York Rangers last season; he spent most of 2014-15 with the San Jose Sharks, though.

The 27-year-old split time with the Sharks and Rangers in 2014-15. From a statistical standpoint, Sheppard didn't have a very good season. He scored seven goals and 18 points in 71 games last year. The former sixth overall pick in 2006 may be forced to accept a pro tryout before training camps open in September.

Forwards James Sheppard and Ryan Bourque will be joined by defender Chris Summers in the press box for Game 7 against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Sheppard's scratching is a bit of a surprise considering he's played 13 games this postseason, and scored in Game 6. More curiously, he was replaced by defender Matt Hunwick. Meaning the Rangers are running 11 forwards and seven defenders in Friday's do-or-die Eastern Conference Final game.

James Sheppard was credited the game-winning goal in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Final.

He gave the Rangers a 4-1 lead early in the third period with assists going to Dominic Moore and Tanner Glass. The goal was his first of the 2015 playoffs and it was his first point since Game 6 against Washington in Round 2. Sheppard also logged a team-low 8:35 of ice time on Tuesday night.

James Sheppard will be in the Rangers lineup for a third consecutive game Monday night for Game 3 against the Capitals.

With Mats Zuccarello out indefinitely due to an upper body injury, Sheppard has been inserted into the Rangers lineup for the first three games of their series with the Capitals. He has yet to score a point in Games 1 and 2 while recording just two shots. He is slated to play on the fourth line with Tanner Glass and Dominic Moore once again.

There will not be any line up changes for the Rangers as they look to eliminate the Penguins on Friday night in Game Five.

James Sheppard and Chris Summers will remain scratched while Kevin Klein is not yet ready to return from his broken arm. Of the three, only Klein is worth a flyer if/when he returns. He may have just 13 points in 53 career playoff games, but he set career highs in goals (nine) and points (26) in 65 games this season.

Forward James Sheppard and defenseman Chris Summers will watch from the press box in game 4 Wednesday night against the Penguins.

The Rangers, unlike almost every other playoff team, has not called up any minor leaguers for the playoff experience, so just Sheppard and Summers will be listed as healthy scratches for Game 4. Neither player has dressed in the series against the Pens and barring an injury, you can continue to expect the Rangers to keep the same lineup each game.

James Sheppard will once again be a healthy scratch for Game 3 against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Head Coach Alain Vigneault was considering inserting Sheppard in place of Tanner Glass but will instead keep the same lineup from Games 1 and 2. After being acquired from the Sharks earlier in the year at the NHL trade deadline, Sheppard has had a hard time cracking the Rangers lineup on a regular basis, playing in only 14 games while scoring just two goals. Chris Summers will also remain a scratch for the Rangers Monday night.

James Sheppard and Chris Summers will be healthy scratches in game one of their first round series against Pittsburgh.

Kevin Klein (arm) still isn't ready to return to New York's lineup. Summers was acquired from Arizona in the Keith Yandle trade, but played sparingly for his new team. Sheppard skated in 71 games this season and he finished with seven goals and 18 points.

James Sheppard will play in place of Mats Zuccarello, whose dealing with "overall body soreness" on Tuesday night against the New Jersey Devils.

Sheppard has been a healthy scratch each of the past three games, but hasn't produced much since coming over from the Sharks. In 11 games with the Rangers since the trade deadline, Shappard has posted a goal, a fight, and 23 hits.

Depth Charts

That puts Sedin just one assist away from the 800 milestone. He would become the 31st player to reach that milestone. Pierre Turgeon currently holds 30th place on the all-time assists list with 812. As far as 2017-18 goes, Sedin has two goals and 18 points in 31 contests.

Horvat is regarded as week-to-week, but there isn't a more specific timetable for his return yet. That said, a previous report did suggest that he would be sidelined for six weeks. He's been a key part of the Canucks' offense with 10 goals and 20 points in 28 contests this season.

Markus Granlund is expected to play in Thursday's game against the Anaheim Ducks.

Granlund has been dealing with an upper-body injury, but the Canucks mentioned that he'd be a game-time decision for this game. Granlund is taking part in line rushes during the pre-game warmup, which would indicate that he'll be in the lineup. He's skating on a line with Sam Gagner and Thomas Vanek.

Daniel Sedin reached and then surpassed the 1,000-point milestone on Thursday.

Sedin scored a goal and registered two assists in Vancouver's 5-3 win over Nashville. His goal, which was the 1,000th point, tied the contest at 3-3 in the third period. "I said it before that it would be great to get it and for it to be a goal and in a huge win for us, and both happened today," said Daniel. The Canucks have substantially cut the Sedin twins' playing time this season, but Daniel has still chipped in with six goals and 15 points in 26 contests.

Loui Eriksson seems to have turned the corner from a disastrous 2016-17 season with 11 points in his first 15 games this season.

We pushed him to go after the puck harder — which he has done," said Canucks head coach Travis Green. "He has put himself in positions and in good spots a lot of time and is playing good hockey right now." Eriksson’s 24 points last year were the lowest since his rookie season, but is currently well on pace to break the 50-point plateau again.

Sven Baertschi will be sidelined for four-to-six weeks due to a fractured jaw.

Coach Travis Green said that surgery will not be required. Baertschi was hit in the face by a puck on Saturday night. The Canucks were already missing Bo Horvat due to a long-term injury and now another top-six forward is down.

Boeser's goal right before the seven-minute mark of the first period tied the game at one, but it was all downhill from there. The Canucks rookie has now found the back of the net in three consecutive games. Boeser has an impressive 16 goals and 28 points in 28 games this season. He's on pace to score 45 goals, which would be remarkable.

Sam Gagner opened the scoring in Tuesday's game at Calgary with a power-play goal in the first period.

Gagner has two goals on the season, but coming on the man advantage. He also chipped in with five shots on goal and a blocked shot in 17:30 of ice time. Gagner is off to a bit of a slow start, but he sees plenty of time on the power play for the Canucks and he has the scoring touch to pick up points in bunches. For now, however, his fantasy appeal is limited to deeper pools.

Jake Virtanen is projected to draw into the Canucks' lineup on Saturday.

Virtanen was a healthy scratch Thursday night. He's averaging just 9:44 minutes per game when he is in the lineup so even though he'll be playing, his role might be minimal. The former sixth overall pick has two goals and four points in 15 games this season.

Derek Dorsett will not return to Vancouver's active roster due to health reasons and risks associated with playing, according to GM Jim Benning.

Dorsett has been advised by doctors to stop playing hockey after it was revealed that he has a cervical disc herniation adjacent and separate to his previous fusion. "I'm devastated by the news. It will take a long time for this to truly sink in," said Dorsett. "As hard as it was to hear, Dr. Watkins' diagnosis is definitive. There is no grey area, and it gives me clarity to move forward. I have a healthy young family and a long life of opportunities ahead of me. Hockey taught me a lot and it will help me be successful in whatever I choose to do in the future." We wish him the best in whatever he decides to do next.

Nikolay Goldobin will be a healthy scratch in Monday's game against the Winnipeg Jets.

He has a goal and an assist in four games this season. He has plenty of offensive upside, but that probably won't translate into fantasy success this season. Alex Biega will also watch the game from the press box.

Elder had missed the first month of the season with an MCL sprain and took a while to get going. However, in his last nine games Edler has registered five points, which is very acceptable for a defenseman. If Edler is a free agent in your fantasy league, consider picking him up.

Michael Del Zotto recorded two assists in the Canucks' 5-2 win over Pittsburgh Wednesday night.

Del Zotto hadn't recorded a point in his prior six contests. He now has a goal and nine points in 22 games in 2017-18. He's been getting plenty of playing time with Vancouver, including some power-play minutes, so it wouldn't be shocking to see him end up with around 30 points.

Ben Hutton posted a pair of assists with a minor penalty and two blocked shots in Tuesday's 5-3 win at Calgary.

Hutton entered the game with just one helper through the first 14 games, but he has a solid plus-6 rating with 16 blocked shots and eight hits. He remains useful only in the deepest of fantasy pools and as a punt option in DFS since he'll chip in with a block or two and solid plus/minus rating to keep your head above water.

Alex Biega will be a healthy scratch on Tuesday night as the Vancouver Canucks visit the New York Islanders.

Biega has just two assists in 15 games so far this season with the Canucks. He has just one goal at the NHL level, scored back in his rookie campaign in 2014-2015. Sitting alongside him in the press box will be forward Nikolay Goldobin and injured defenseman Erik Gudbranson.

Derrick Pouliot finished with a goal, two assists and a plus-2 rating while adding four blocked shots and a hit Tuesday against the visiting Hurricanes.

Don't get terribly excited about Pouliot's performance, as he entered with no points over his past five outings. The three-point game was a career high, as he entered with just three goals and 21 points across his first 91 NHL games. His 10 points already sets a new career best. He'll need to duplicate this kind of performance on a regular basis before fantasy owners even consider him in the deepest of pools.

Jacob Markstrom allowed five goals on 24 shots in Monday's 5-1 loss to the Winnipeg Jets.

Markstrom has now suffered back-to-back losses and he's given up eight goals during the two defeats. The Canucks goaltender now has an 8-10-3 record with a 2.56 goals-against-average and a .911 save percentage this season.